Ordinary Women of the Bible: Rich Beyond Measure, Zlata's Story

Ordinary Women of the Bible

by Robin Lee Hatcher

After losing her parents, husband, and child, Zlata is left dependent upon her in-laws who regard her as nothing more than a servant.

Worse still, she is left with a heart overcome by bitterness.

But then she hears a new teacher speaking. He says that she is blessed although she is poor and in mourning. She thinks this Yeshua might be the madman that her father-in-law, a Pharisee, claims Him to be.

Yet she can’t stop seeking Him out and listening to what He has to say because His words are making her feel whole again. Then her father-in-law threatens to turn her out if she seeks out Yeshua one more time.

Will fear hold her back or will she dare to trust Yeshua by giving God everything she possesses?

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 95 novels and novellas with more than five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog.

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Reviews

[Robin Hatcher]

Writing RICH BEYOND MEASURE was one of the greatest blessings of my writing career. I spent every day immersed in the Gospel accounts and in the words of Jesus. Delving into the culture in which Jesus lived and the world in which He walked was fascinating. It seemed as if every day I learned something that I either hadn't known before or hadn't understood fully. I have gained a new appreciation for reading the Bible through Middle Eastern, 1st Century eyes. I hope and pray that Zlata's story will touch many readers.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. This is the 9th book I've read in this series and I think the best so far. The bible doesn't name the widow who put the mite in the basket and other than that does not tell her story. I love the way this author created her story. How in spite of her loses she finds hope in following Yeshua. The characters became so real to me. We know the Pharisees wanted to get rid of Yeshua and plotted against Him, but I've never thought about the ordinary people who lived than and how their lives were affected by His teachings. The bible references are accurate and flow seamlessly into the story.
I felt so much emotion reading this book. Fear and sadness for Zlata while living under Taneli's roof, happiness when Keziah calls for her for no reason and she gets to relax away from Taneli. Anger at Taneli for treating his daughter-in-law so poorly. The suggestion by her mother-in-law that she was just a slave. I cried with them when Yeshua was hung from the cross. And I was overjoyed that Zlata finally gave Joel a chance and her forgiveness created blessings for her. I will share this book with anyone who is willing to read it.

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a little girl, I had a Precious Moments story Bible, and the story of the widow's two coins was one of my most-requested stories from it at bedtime or just whenever I wanted a story (which was often; I was a bookworm long before I could read independently). I'm still unsure why I liked the story so much, although looking back, I've got some theories based on who I am, what I was experiencing back then (being the little girl who was "different"), and what I knew of Jesus (e.g., He has a different way of looking at things, and even then, I caught on and really liked that). Anyway, I still have an attachment to that story, so I picked out Rich Beyond Measure as a novella I particularly wanted to read.

Robin Lee Hatcher fulfilled my desire for a deeper look at who this mysterious widow could have been. Brownie points for her name alone; as I've said before, I love cool names and had never heard the name "Zlata," but I loved it. More importantly, Zlata caught my attention because she lives in my mirror. In other words, we have similar personalities (introverted, desire for wisdom, desire for deep sharing of the heart). But like Zlata, I also fight against bitterness and resentment when I think I'm being shortchanged, people aren't listening to me, or I actually know I'm being treated as lesser. So spending a book with her was both convicting and refreshing.

More than Zlata, Jesus really stuck out to me in Rich Beyond Measure. This book is in my top ten and likely top five of the Ordinary Women series because although Zlata has a pivotal moment with Jesus, He also shows up for most of the rest of the book. I hadn't seen that for any of the other New Testament-centered novellas when I first read this one, and I loved watching Zlata and others react to Jesus' teachings. Specifically, I loved watching Zlata work through what Jesus said. It wasn't like she heard Him a few times and boom, dropped all resentment and became a perfect first-century Hebrew woman. Instead, she had to seek and grapple and ask questions. She had to risk physical, mental, and emotional consequences, yet found the courage to keep listening. That alone kept my pages turning at a great clip.

Robin also impressed me because up until Rich Beyond Measure, I hadn't seen an Ordinary Women character follow Jesus through almost His entire ministry. Zlata does, before and after her personal moment with Him. This refreshed my appreciation and awe for Jesus. Like Zlata, I worried for Him in the face of what men like Taneli could do--and I knew what would happen! And with Zlata in mind, I wondered, "In her shoes, would I have followed Jesus? Would I have thought the risk was worth it?" I'd like to say "yes," but I won't fool myself into thinking it would be so easy. Having to think of such things made Rich Beyond Measure a real winner for me.

Robin did throw me for a loop with Joel. I wasn't expecting him, and I admit, I felt about as prickly toward him as Zlata did at first. However, I give Robin a lot of credit because she crafted a gentle relationship between the two of them. I can't even say "romance," because that's not what Zlata and Joel have. They are allowed to craft a slow, ever-growing friendship undergirded with the burgeoning ministry of Jesus and how it might influence them. Again, I wasn't expecting the story to go there, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally, Robin did a wonderful job with Zlata's moment in the temple. She doesn't actually give her offering until almost the end. By the time she did, I was wondering, "Okay, how will the book wrap up from here?" I admit doubting whether Robin could pull off a realistic, solid ending. Yet she did, and without sacrificing the time Zlata and Jesus needed together. As the Bible only hints, Jesus sees what Zlata truly needs here, and the resulting scene touched me in ways I never expected.

I may have paid more than a "mite" for this book. Like Zlata, my income isn't much and never has been. But if you ask me, I'd buy this book again any day, and reread it any time. As hard as it is to pick the best, Rich Beyond Measure is a contender, especially for Jesus' bigger than usual role. Set aside some coinage and time for it, and a place on your keeper shelf.

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich Beyond Measure is an imagining. of the life of the woman who had only two small coins to give. Zlata is a widow and is kept on by her in-laws as a servant. Her father-in-law, Taneli, hates Yeshua and wishes to bring Him down. This is fiction but teaches faith lessons. Zlata hears Yeshua speak and wishes to learn more. Over the course of the story she becomes able to forgive. Zlata realizes Taneli's devotion is more status than true love of God, and he a pharisee. She is drawn back to hear Yeshua speak and to learn from Him. The question Jesus asks of all of us "who do you say I am?" is asked. The love that emanated from Him is portrayed and Zlata realizes He treats women with kindness and care. From then to now He changes us as we witness His followers change. The book reminds us of how much He loves all of us. Robin Lee Hatcher takes us thru the Crucifixion, resurrection, and an epilog for Zlata.

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I love these Guideposts books - Ordinary Women of the Bible series. They are a bit pricey but worth it. The covers are lovely but more than that the stories speak to me spiritually. This one was really good.

[Diane Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent story of fear, forgiveness, and giving one’s all to God! It is a perfect story to read during Holy Week! I embraced the authors novel idea of the widow who gave all her coins being young and deciding to do it because of her love of Jesus!

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as much as the others in the series. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Tayler Carlisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Linda R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Lee Hatcher did an excellent job telling the New Testament story of the widow with two mites in Rich Beyond Measure: Zlata's Story. I thoroughly enjoyed this easy-to-read biblical fiction novel.

I purchased a hardcover copy of this book.